The Littleton Link - February 2021 - South Littleton Parish Council
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The Littleton Link February 2021
Editors letter Dear All Welcome to the February issue of The Littleton Link. We woke to a dose of snow in January on the weekend before the Big Garden Birdwatch, for which I hope that some of you managed to take part. Data collated from the study helps to increase our understanding of the challenges faced by wildlife in our ever changing world. In this issue we’ve updates from your Parish Councils, Evesham Sea Cadets, the Farm Animal Sanctuary, the Youth Bus team, some ‘thanks’ and news about the forthcoming Census. Whatever you do this month, please stay safe and healthy. Kind regards and best wishes that you all stay well, Mary Cover photo: David’s Amaryllis (Graham Lampitt) 2
WYCHAVON DISTRICT COUNCIL
And VENTILATE
As we’re now in winter it might seem to be counter-intuitive to open
our windows. If it’s cold outside why would we want to let all that cold
air in? Well it’s important to ventilate as if you meet people you do not
live with indoors, such as someone working in your home, you should
make sure you let as much fresh air in as you can without getting
uncomfortably cold (for example by opening windows). Approximately
1 in 3 people who have coronavirus have no symptoms and could be
spreading it without realising it.
To keep informed of all things related to coronavirus visit the following
websites:
https://www.gov.uk
https://worcestershire.gov.uk
To keep up-to-date with any changes sign up for
an email direct to your email address.
For more information go to:
https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/covid-19-update
3
4
A BIG ‘THANK YOU’ TO OUR POSTIE, DARREN Residents of School Lane in Middle Littleton decided to have a collection and make a ‘socially distanced’ presentation to Darren, our lovely postie, who has been ever cheerful delivering all our post this past year. Initially thinking was to get him a voucher, however after further thought a hamper made up of all his favourites goodies was decided upon. Thank you Darren x 5
A THANK YOU MESSAGE FROM JEAN BAYLISS
Jean would like to thank all her friends in the village for the kind good
wishes she has received either by phone or the receipt of cards.
All have been very much appreciated and Jean would like to wish
everyone a Happy & Healthy New Year
LITTLETONS VILLAGE HALL
The Village Hall Committee would normally be advising the date and
time of the Annual General Meeting due to be held in February. This
year it will obviously not be held in February due to the current
lockdown.
We will be looking at a meeting date sometime during April/May
depending on restrictions.
The current treasurer, Gerald Perks, has indicated that he will not be
standing next year. If anyone is interested in taking on this post please
contact Gerald on 01386 830 416 or email Gerald.perks@gmail.com
6
7
New Year, new
resolutions. A few ideas
and encouragement from the
Youth Bus Team
A New Year’s resolution is a promise that
you make to yourself at the start of the new
year. It could focus on continuing good
practice, changing an unwanted trait or
behaviour, accomplishing a personal goal or
starting a new hobby. New Year’s
resolutions are not only for adults, they are
a great example of goal setting that can help children with their self-
development, build self-confidence and to develop healthy habits.
When setting goals, they should be achievable, simple, and realistic.
Only around 12% of people who make New Year’s resolutions felt that
they were successful in achieving their goals! and only 40% of people
can sustain their New Year’s resolutions after 6 months, so work hard
to stick to yours, choose a specific goal, limit the number of resolutions
you make, start small, and focus on one goal at a time, avoid
resolutions you haven’t stuck to previously, and ask family and friends
for help. And remember if you break your resolutions that’s fine too,
don’t be hard on yourself, just use it to motivate you even more!
Some examples of possible New Year’s resolutions:
- I will keep my bedroom clean and tidy.
- I will put things away when I’ve finished with them.
- I will help with more chores around the house.
- I will help to look after the pets.
- I will believe in myself.
8
- I’ll take more steps towards a big goal.
- I will spend more time with my family.
- I will work hard in school.
- I will do my homework on time.
- I will learn a new hobby.
- I will spend more time
on things I enjoy.
- I will read a new book
each month.
- I will play outside more
often.
- I will start a gratitude
journal of good things
that happen.
Would you like to share your new years resolution with us? If so
message us on our Facebook page and we will share it to inspire others
www.facebook.com/wychavonyouthbus
The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch took place at the end of January.
Results can be submitted online until 19-Feb and
by post until 15-Feb. Every count is important so
even if you didn’t see anything please submit your
result. Finding out which birds don’t visit your
area is as important as understanding those which
do.
Find all the details here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-
involved/activities/birdwatch
9
Eric Hutchinson and The Link Eric Hutchinson and The Rev’d Dennis Russell (The Vicar at that time) got together in the 1970’s, and felt that a village magazine for the three villages that were the Littletons was long overdue. The first issue was printed in the garage of the Vicarage in South Littleton using an ancient and well-worn gestetner duplicator. This carried on until the 80’s, when the Littleton Resource Centre opened in the Village Hall, and suddenly modern state of the art facilities became available. It included a duplicator that did not break down with regular monotony. A happy band of helpers assembled every month in School House, in Middle Littleton, to collate and staple the duplicated A4 sheets. This method of production carried on for several years. The finished Link was then distributed by a band of volunteers to all the occupants of houses who had decided to purchase the Link at a cost of 10p per issue. The next change came in the 90’s when production of the Link was taken over by Rev’d Richard Evans and South Littleton Parish Council. The funding coming from both Parish Councils. This became a free magazine, delivered to every house in the Littletons. It was printed commercially, and became the Link as we know it today. It is with great sadness that I have to report that Eric passed away on Christmas day 2020, after a long illness. He moved away from Middle Littleton some years ago, and lived with his partner in Tewkesbury and then Bredon. Eric was not only partially responsible for the formation of the Link, he was a Parish Councillor for many years, also Secretary of the Royal British Legion Club, he belonged to the ‘Just Us Players’ an amateur 10
dramatic group who used to perform in the Village Hall, and he was a bell-ringer at St Nicholas Church. He also found time to teach maths at St Egwins School in Evesham. Peter Brown 11
12
SOUTH LITTLETON PARISH COUNCIL
We currently have three vacancies on the council. If you would
like to be involved in enhancing your village and can spare a
couple of hours a month, please contact Sean Arble, Clerk, via
email: clerk.slpc@btinternet.com to register your interest.
Cllr Victoria Servier was voted Vice Chair.
The council are looking to improve your play parks. If you have
any suggestions or ideas of what might be needed, please
advise the clerk so the council can consider your ideas.
County councillor report can be found on South Littleton parish
website http://www.southlittleton.org.uk
Highways/roadworks - to keep up to date on the roads affected
see: https://one.network/ This is a new website and is very
good to see all the roadworks locally and across the UK.
Please can parishioners remember to maintain their hedges
which overhang public footpaths and/or roads.
The cycleway from the edge of the village to Blackminster
school is hopefully due to commence in April, all being well.
Blocked drains around the parish have now been identified by 2
councillors and reported. County have now marked and
commenced this work. In the future, residents can notify the
clerk of any blockages and he can report for you.
Although we are now well in to January, this is the first opportunity
I've had to wish you all a belated happy and safe new year.
Louise Bucknall
SLPC Chair
Further updates will be available on the website at:
www.southlittleton.org.uk including details of how to join in Parish
Councils meetings which are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
1314
A new year, and another lockdown has meant
we must take our Sea Cadet learning back
online for our Cadets.
We are having regular weekly meetings of all
our Cadets and using this time to work through
(virtually) all the theory side of our learning.
This means that as soon as we are allowed to be back to face to face
parading we can concentrate on getting back out on the water and
doing all the practical outdoor skills and adventurous training that our
Cadets have missed so much being cooped up at home.
We are still managing to make our sessions fun though, and our
Juniors have attended some sessions where they have even conducted
experiments in their own homes, guided by their online instructor!
One of our older Cadets has attended a National Virtual Naval Aviation
course and received his bronze wings. Once we are allowed back face
to face he hopes to sign up to travel to Yeovil to complete the Silver
wings part of the course and have some real naval aviation experience.
Here is a picture of this Saturday’s Junior Session in progress, they
were all avidly learning about Safety on the Water.
15Greetings from everyone at the Farm Animal Sanctuary, and apologies for the lack of communication for so long, due solely because of lack of time on my part. Covid-19 has affected us, as it has everyone else, in several ways. Donations are down by almost half, which was expected, and we took the decision to ask our small volunteer team to stay home for the safety of everyone. To have less traffic through the village made sense, but we have missed them! This is the most difficult and expensive time of the year for us. The alpacas are out in a paddock which is how they like it; they don’t like being enclosed and will let you know about it when they’re not happy. When asked to do something that they don’t want to do, they are first class spitters with a perfect aim, trying to get alpaca spit out of your hair involves a lot of shampoo and hot water so best avoided if possible. A small number of our Soay sheep are also out, which is how they prefer it. We attempted to keep them in one winter, but never again as it resulted in 3 of them breaking a leg each. The rest of the sheep and the cattle are in the barns where they develop the feeding habits of locusts, no sooner have all the racks been filled with the half ton bales of hay the chomping begins. On top of keeping all of those happy, which is more than a full-time job, we now have to keep all of our 16
poultry shut away where wild birds can’t get access to them, thanks to an outbreak of Bird Flu. Our hens in particular have a good relationship with the crows, they happily share the corn that’s thrown down for them, but we have a lot of baffled looking crows sitting on our fences now. We’ve done what we can to keep them occupied, they have straw bales to sit on, vegetables and fruit hung from lengths of string that they can have a stab at, and as much variety in their diet as we can provide. The hens and turkeys etc. not the crows. We’re very lucky in this respect that nearby neighbours, Dave and Clarissa are both employed at Tesco’s in Stratford and bring us regular supplies of fruit and vegetables, which are shared by the pigs and ponies. It’s like Christmas Day all over again when we see Dave's car pulling into the drive, dogs all squashed into the back seat, the boot piled high with crates full of goodies, certainly saves it all going to waste. I think by now most people will have seen, or heard on the grapevine, that a “For Sale” sign is on the side of the barn. It surprised us, we had no idea or pre warning that this was going to happen. At this point we can’t say too much, we do have a tenancy agreement which guarantees us security until 2025. We don’t want to leave, we will do everything that we can to stay here where many of the rescued animals were born, our dogs, ponies and horses are buried here, and we love where we are. We have a legacy in waiting, a property was left to us eight years ago, but which has an elderly tenant living there. When it becomes the property of FAS the sale of that property will enable us to buy the farm. We just have to wait, be patient, and believe that things will turn out to be in our favour, for the animals, and the people, all local, who care for them. Just to add, we’re really grateful for the support that people have shown to us since this happened, the village would just become 17
“another featureless village” if the building of more houses was
allowed, and just to add, we are supported by all our local farmers.
Stating the obvious, stay safe, respect the rules, the only way to
control what’s going on.
PS: We have a few of our full colour Calendars still for sale for half
price, £5 each. To order please phone 01386 834500 or call in at the
sanctuary. Thank you.
Jan Taylor
Mini quiz
1. The peach is closely related to what culinary nut?
2. In Roman numerals, an X with a dash above it indicates what
number?
3. What is the only venomous snake in the UK?
4. Where do ospreys normally spend the winter?
5. What large cut of beef shares its name with a peerage rank?
18Due to the heightened risk of bird flu, poultry and captive bird housing measures are in force across Great Britain as of 14 December 2020. This means it is a legal requirement to house your birds. For birds such as ducks and geese, where housing is less practicable due to welfare concerns, you must fully enclose them, e.g. with netting to separate them from wild birds. There are certain species of birds which would be very difficult to house or net, such as large commercial flocks of geese and gamebirds. If it is impossible for you to house or enclose your birds then you must feed and water your birds undercover, fence off and net ponds and standing water and take active methods to separate them from wild birds. Poultry and captive bird keepers and members of the public should report dead wild birds to the Defra helpline on 03459 33 55 77 (option 7), and keepers should report suspicion of disease to APHA on 03000 200 301. Keepers should familiarise themselves with our avian flu advice. www.wychavon.gov.uk 19
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21Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages The parishes of North & Middle Littleton and South Littleton are both members of the United Benefice of East Vale and Avon Villages. The priest in charge is Revd Fr Philip Morton (01386 832599) email: revphilipmorton@gmail.com For weddings, baptisms and funerals contact Wendy Stafford Parish Administrator 01386 424728 or eastvaleavon2018@gmail.com For any other matters relating to St Nicholas Church, please contact Roy Powell (01386 832058) or Peter Brown (01386 831529) Hon Treasurer. For general enquires relating to St Michaels Church, please contact the Churchwardens Robert Johnson 01386 831504 or Sue Jinks 01386 831553. Please read this important notice regarding Church services The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s homes while church buildings are closed because of the coronavirus. Daily Hope offers music, prayers, and reflections as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end of a telephone line. The line – which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 – has been set up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the period of restrictions in mind. If you know of someone who does not have online access and might like to use this service, please do pass on the number. The clergy and ministers will continue to pray on a daily basis, and we invite you join in with your own prayers, remembering especially the most vulnerable in our communities. Prayer resources will be made available on the benefice website eastvaleavon.com and for those who 22
would like to read the weekly sermons they are available on the website too. You can also read Fr. Timothy’s new blog helping people adjust to living in isolation by following this link: www.connectioninisolation.blogspot.com Father Philip has issued the following notice regarding local church services: Given the rapid increase in infections and after discussions with all the PCC members of our churches I will not be producing a service rota as such for this month, at this stage. A Zoom morning prayer service will be set up for each Sunday at 9:30am for those who want to join (please ask people to email me and I can send them the link). Online services of Holy Communion will continue as normal, and sermons will be published on the website. Services at Badsey will only continue if strict adherence to social distancing rules and 'no mingling' are observed. I fully reserve the right to cancel services if this is not adhered to properly. All of our other churches will remain closed until further notice, a decision made by each of the PCC's. I would urge everyone in the Government's 'vulnerable' category to seriously think about staying away from church until infection rates decline and the vaccines become more widely available. Thank you. 23
The Daily Office Morning and Evening Prayer have been suspended in church for the duration of the coronavirus outbreak, but a special Iona morning prayer service is taking place on the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of the month at 8:30 am via Zoom. If you would like to join in, please contact Clare on clarecrew@btinternet.com for more information. Other information from St Nicholas Church at North & Middle Due to the ongoing restrictions, it is regretted that the usual pattern of Church Services cannot be restored. If you are worried about anything relating to St Nicholas Church, please contact Peter Brown 01386 831529 Email peterbrown569@talktalk.net or Roy Powell 01386 832058 Email proymarg@aol.com Other information from St Michaels Church at South St Michael’s is now open for “Private Prayer” 10 am – 4 pm - Saturdays and Wednesdays. For information on St Michael’s please visit our web site www.southlittletonchurch.co.uk 24
February 2021 February brings the beginning of Lent. It’s a season to prepare for Easter, by reflecting on Jesus’ time in the wilderness, and by reflecting on his life and also on how our own journey of life is going. As Lent begins this year, that idea of journeys will be both literal and metaphorical for me - it will mark the time when I stop being curate here in the benefice of the East Vale and Avon villages. As Lent begins, I will move north to begin new adventures as vicar of St Martin’s church, Low Marple, just outside Stockport. These two types of journey coming together, the journey of faith, and the physical journey of moving house, have made me think that perhaps they’re not too different from each other as might appear at first glance. Lent is a time to, amongst other things, look back at ‘where we’ve each come from’ in faith. Whether joyful places in life or ones of wilderness, they all add their contribution to where we each find ourselves now. Reflecting on wilderness might not feel particularly difficult for many of us this year, with a global pandemic, and lockdowns and social distancing having dominated the last twelve months. But along with all the pain and difficulty there have been moments of growth, and joy, and hope. Just a few words, like ‘care’, ‘keyworker’, and ‘heroes’ will highlight some of these things, that we have ‘picked up’ on the way – like new insights about who the key workers are in society, and how we can care for one another. It’s a bit like the tradition of pilgrims collecting something, often a shell, as a reminder of their pilgrimage journey. The same applies to my journey to a new church. While it will be a time full of goodbyes, and I will leave an empty house behind me when 25
I go, I will also be taking part of this benefice with me. I wouldn’t be
going to be a vicar up north without the years I spent here, ‘picking
things up’. The things I have done, and the relationships I have formed,
have helped shape who I am, and will shape the ministry I offer up in
Low Marple.
In the wilderness, some familiar landmarks to orientate ourselves and
work out the way forward are essential. Perhaps, in a wilderness,
questions are more appropriate than answers, so I’ll finish with a few…
Could this February be an opportunity to reflect anew on where we
have each ‘come from’? In our life journey so far, what people and
experiences have shaped who we are now? What are we,
metaphorically, carrying? And where will we take it next?
Fr Timothy Hupfield
Curate
You can find our prayer resources on our website
https://eastvaleavon.com/online-services If you don’t have internet
access, call the Vicar on 01386 832 599 with your name and address
and a copy of the booklet can be posted through your door.
26We have found a way for Messy
Church to reach the children
The Messy Church team will be
gathering goodies for Messy Church
bags for Good Friday. These will be
delivered on 31-March. The bags will
contain relevant crafts, colouring pictures and many
paper puzzles, prayer, etc.
We need to know how many bags you require, the ages
of your children and where we have to deliver them.
Note that the cut-off date is 23-March-2021.
It is all free.
Covid-19 rules will apply.
Please contact team members: Sue Jinks, Lisa Farmer,
Angela Gray or send direct to me, Penny Christison on
penny@alexchristison.f9.co.uk
We look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you, Penny
27From the Parish Registers
December 2020 & January 2021
Weddings
18-Dec-20 Offenham Aaron James Robinson & Heidi Grace
Markwick
Baptisms - none
Funerals
17-Dec-20 Offenham Andrew Morris 69
21-Dec-20 NM Littleton Reginald Albert Wheeler 85
29-Dec-20 Badsey Gordon John Lashford 90
30-Dec-20 Offenham Andrew George Dyer 63
09-Jan-21 Offenham Margaret (Maggie) Watts 61
21-Jan-21 Badsey Richard Albert Arthur Plant 93
Free bus service to TESCO (run by Henshaw’s Coaches)
Route runs: Offenham, The Littletons, Honeybourne, Bretforton & Badsey
Every Thursday, picking up at:
09:48 The Ivy, North Littleton
09:50 Village Hall, Middle Littleton
09:52 Shinehill Lane, South Littleton
ETA at Tesco 10:30; ETD from Tesco 11:45
NB: face coverings are mandatory on this bus.
28RWH Accountancy Limited
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Bookkeeping VAT Returns
Payroll Personal Tax Returns
Contact Richard: 01386 291007
richard@rwhaccountancy.co.uk
John Betts
Property maintenance
Over 25 years’ experience
Extensions & Alterations / Brick Work / Stone Work
Patios / Repointing / Painting
No job too small / All your property needs
For a free quote phone John on
01386 761379 or 07415 144926
29NORTH AND MIDDLE LITTLETON PARISH
COUNCIL
Parish Council Meetings are now being held virtually via Zoom. Should
any parishioners wish to join these meetings please contact the Clerk,
Marion Brighton on 01905 909125 for details required. The Website
will continue to be updated at
http://www.northandmiddlelittletonpc.gov.uk/ with any relevant
information regarding Parish Council matters and we hope all our
Parishioners stay fit and healthy in these uncertain times.
Should any parishioners have any items they wish to be placed on the
website would they please submit them to
martinburgePC@outlook.com
Report from January meeting
Play area: Due to public demand this remains open.
Log Cabins: This development is still being reviewed by Wychavon
district Council.
Street Light: School Lane. This has now been moved and is working.
Manor Road re-development: This is in progress.
Tree Survey: Work to be carried out on trees in the village.
Dog Fouling: Concerns were again raised regarding the amount of dog
fouling in the parish. Please read the separate article in this Link.
Memorial Bench: A memorial bench honouring the armed forces has
been ordered.
30Bus Shelter: (North Littleton crossroads) This has again been damaged and repair work is being investigated. Road signs: It has been noticed that there are ‘No HGV ’signs in Long Hyde Road. County councillor to request signs such as this to be placed on School Lane. Grass verges: The grass verges in Manor Road are being eroded by the heavy traffic going to the building site. Rooftop Housing to be contacted regarding this. The Pound: It is hoped to plant trees on The Pound using NHB grants from Wychavon District Council. Footpath: It has been reported that the footpath in Titheway becomes very slippery in icy conditions. This to be investigated. Meetings: It was agreed that meetings will be held virtually until May 2021. These will be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.30pm. Next meeting to be held February 17, 2021. Clerk - Marion Brighton clerknmlpc@outlook.com Parish Councillors: James Haywood, Mrs Barbara Hopkins, Ian Jones, Colin Emms, Martin Burge, Mrs Sarah Powell and Ms Sandra Jackson. 31
PLAY AREAS 32
Mobile Library
The mobile library normally visits the Littletons on the 4th Tuesday of the
month. During the current lockdown period the service is suspended
and all borrowers books have been extended until 1 March.
Worcestershire libraries have remained open to provide essential
access to computers and the internet, supporting residents who cannot
get online at home. The library service has adapted to offer online
services, so customers can continue to reap the benefits of their
membership while staying safe at home.
The Digital Library Hub is home to a growing collection of e-books, e-
audio books and e-magazines and a wide range of online resources
available for customers to access from home. It also provide 24/7 access
to a range of library services, events and activities, providing
opportunities for people to connect and engage safely with others
online, to help them feel less isolated and to improve their wellbeing.
Current online activities include Digital Book Groups, Storytimes,
Bounce & Rhyme sessions, Lego Challenges, Coding Clubs, Wacky
Wednesday family learning, Business Webinars, Job Seeking Webinars,
exclusive Poetry Performances, Virtual Language Cafes and Connect
Bubbles.
To keep up-
to-date with
library
availability
check the
website at:
http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/libraries
33BONFIRES & OVERGROWN VERGES
Overgrown Hedges and
Verges
This is a problem that is raised in the
meetings of both Parish Councils.
The owner or occupier of a property has a
legal responsibility (Highway Act 1980) to
ensure that the ‘public highway’ adjacent to
a property is not obstructed by vegetation
from their property, e.g. overhanging growth
from a tree or hedge or vegetation that has been allowed to grow into
the public highway. The ‘public highway’ is defined by law as consisting
of any verge, footway, carriageway, bridleway, or footpath that is
maintained at public expense and over which the public has a right of
way.
As it is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to disturb
nesting birds care should be taken before cutting back. With nesting
season starting again soon you will need to be careful so try to keep on
top of it before it gets out of hand. If in doubt, wait until the Autumn.
The requirements
Although the Highways Act 1980 doesn’t specify any actual
measurements for overhanging vegetation, the requirement should be
met by:
For pedestrian areas, minimum headroom of 2.3m (7ft 6 inches).
For carriageway and an area immediately adjacent to it (for a
distance of 0.45m (1ft 6 inches)) minimum headroom of 5.2m
(17ft).
In both cases, all the vegetation should be cut back vertically.
34Bonfires
Please do not use bonfires as a way of disposing of garden waste. Not
only is it anti-social, as smoke could get into somebody’s home, but it
could also cause breathing issues or prevent someone using their
garden for exercise. You could also be committing an offence and they
can easily get out of hand resulting in pressure on the fire service.
Please be considerate to your neighbours and consider alternative
ways to dispose of your garden waste:
Leave your grass cuttings on the lawn, it will help keep
moisture in during warm weather.
Compost your garden waste. You can buy a bin at
www.getcomposting.com Hedge cuttings will need shredding.
Sign up for our
paid for garden
waste service
and help the
environment as
all the waste
gets
composted.
Household
Recycling
Centres have re-opened following the Christmas break.
If you have a complaint about bonfires to make please email
enquiries@worcsregservices.gov.uk or call 01905 822 799
Thank you,
North & Middle Littleton and South Littleton Parish Councils
35Wychavon Community Development Artworks eNews
Some highlights from the January edition
With supporting happiness and health in mind this month focused on
how we can take inspiration from nature to make the most of this
period of enforced hibernation. Caroline took a look at strategies
including den building, changing your appearance, stockpiling (she
skipped over that), slowing down, huddling and migrating south.
Most importantly Caroline hoped her readers would find something to
make them smile.
Most of the events featured in the eNews required registration during
January, but Den Building is something that can be done at any time.
For our younger readers maybe think of changing your indoor
surroundings to make a cosy nook to read a book (its National
Storytelling week from 30-Jan to 6-Feb) or do some drawing. Or get
outside and make a wildlife habitat, for ideas visit:
https://www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/
Wychavon Covid-19 Memory
Bank: Don’t forget about our
Wychavon Covid-19 memory bank
where you can upload photos, art
work or anything else that
documents our experience of
these challenging times.
If you have any information you’d like to share please email
caroline.tredwell@wychavon.gov.uk with a short paragraph for the
next eNews. Also if you’d like to receive the full version to your own
mailbox send an email to Caroline or ring her on 01386 565 396.
36Vale Painting Services
For a quality professional
job at very competitive
prices. Small jobs welcome
For a free quote call
Maurice on
07521 127421
37Social distancing
while outside
Exercise is good for your physical and mental health
But you MUST be responsible to protect all our health
While outside:
2m
Avoid Distance Keep to
Close contact with yourself small groups
others (handshakes, Keep 2 metres (6ft) or
hugs, kisses etc.) At least 1+ metre (3- A maximum of 6 people
4ft) away from other
people
DON’T FORGET TO Stay away from
THOROUGHLY WASH YOUR
HANDS AS SOON AS YOU busy areas
GET HOME FOR AT LEAST 20 Go somewhere else
SECONDS for your walk
For more advice on social distancing visit
www.wychavon.gov.uk/coronavirus
38PILATES AND TRIGGER POINT PILATES
PILATES Promotes a strong core and spine, increases flexibility and
mobility, and develops lean muscle.
TRIGGER POINT PILATES A class created to help alleviate chronic pain
and undo muscular restrictions. Using myofascial release techniques,
this class will restore fascia health and help rid tight muscles of
restrictive trigger points. This class enables the body to move freely
and cope with its functional requirement.
Call Michèle - 07813 084575 for more information and to find out how
you can still participate
39Notice from Wychavon District Council: Please be aware that
fraudsters are targeting elderly and vulnerable people during the
current time. Scam callers are pretending to be the police or the bank
in a bid to get bank details and cash. Please stay vigilant at this time,
visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/…/coronavirus-scam-costs-v…
for general advice.
40NORTH AND MIDDLE LITTLETON PARISH
COUNCIL
DOG WALKERS
Complaints from parishioners are being received at each meeting
concerning the amount of dog faeces being left around
the parish, everywhere where people walk and children
play. Dog fouling is a messy eyesore and more
importantly, dog mess is also a potential health hazard.
All dog owners have a legal duty to clean up dog faeces
immediately after their animal fouls a public place. Dog
mess laws do not allow the excuse of 'not noticing' that the canine has
fouled. Owners could be liable for a ‘Fixed Penalty Fine’ of £100, rising
up to £1000 if a case goes to court. Dog fouling can be reported to
Wychavon at: https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/waste-and-
recycling/street-care-and-cleaning/dog-fouling
Wychavon District Council provide dog waste bins for owners to use, but
if you can’t locate one of the special bins, please take the poo home
and put it in your black bin. It is not acceptable to leave poo bags on the
ground by, or on top of, dog poo bins or anywhere else. Just because
you’ve wrapped it up doesn’t mean you can just abandon it for other
people to clear up.
GREEN DOG WALKERS is an initiative promoted by
Wychavon District Council at:
https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/green-dog-walkers
Your local Parish Council would like to encourage you to
join and help to keep our pavements and open spaces
clear of dog mess.
Thank you.
Marion Brighton
Clerk
41Ready, steady, get prepared for Census
2021
Census Day will be Sunday 21 March 2021
The decennial census is almost upon us.
Households across Worcestershire will soon be asked to take part in
the nationwide survey of housing and the population. It has been
carried out every decade since 1801, with exception of 1941.
Information from the digital-first census will help decide how services
are planned and funded in your local area. This could mean things like
doctors’ surgeries, housing or new bus routes.
It will be the first run predominantly online, with households receiving
a letter with a unique access code, allowing them to complete the
questionnaire on their computers, phones or tablets. Paper
questionnaires will be available on request.
The date for your diary: Census day is Sunday 21 March 2021
For more information visit https://census.gov.uk
www.census.gov.uk
42Scheme to prevent loneliness during the
current the coronavirus outbreak
Living Letters is a project that connects people and develops
intergenerational friendships to help prevent loneliness during the
coronavirus pandemic. The Chickenshed charity has volunteers aged
from 18-21 who want to connect with senior members of
communities. Understanding their own loneliness from lockdown, they
were aware that others might find themselves also alone. So they set
about joining people together through letter writing.
We’re all experiencing change in our lives – no matter what age we are
– and it’s good to share these experiences with each other.
If you’d like to participate or know someone who you think would
benefit from extra correspondence then the only thing Chickenshed
ask is that you/they have access to email. Everyone is guided through
the whole process and given plenty of support. There is no charge
involved.
Couples are encouraged, through letter writing, to reflect on life, share
histories and swap stories with the aim that through this unveiling
process, human connections are made and friendships formed. At the
end of the 4-week process the pairs are brought together to finally
meet in a virtual ‘zoom’ chatroom.
For more information visit: https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/living-
letters-four-week-project
View the Video: https://youtu.be/g23YjdBcQ0o
43LIVING LETTERS is a project that connects people, and in
doing so aims to improve communication and develop inter-
generational friendships.
Would you like to participate? Or do you know someone who
you think would benefit from some extra correspondence?
Visit our website to find out more:
44
www.chickenshed.org.uk/living-letters-four-week-project
Chickenshed, Southgate N14 4PE | Registered Charity No 1012369Fox in a log
I often talk about the importance of dead wood for wildlife especially
the myriad of mini-beasts that live and feed in and under fallen
branches and in decaying tree stumps. One regular visitor to our site
between South and Middle Littleton was surprised to see something
a little larger than the usual beetles and woodlice that was benefitting
from a large fallen tree. A Fox was soaking up some early winter sun,
sheltered in the hollow tree trunk!
Spot the Fox Fox in a tree
Let us know if you’ve seen something of interest in our area.
Website update: Our website has been updated recently with lots
more photos and information about our sites. If you haven’t looked at
our web site for a while have a look at http://valetrust.weebly.com
Registered Charity 1080109 – Many of our projects are funded by Severn Waste Services through
the Landfill Communities Fund, without whom we could not own, or protect, anywhere near as
much land
4546
Policy Statement for advertisements and articles
As a local brand we want to promote local businesses, local news
stories and information from relevant elements of the community,
including a monthly update from our parish councils. The Link currently
goes to over 1000 residential properties throughout the Littletons.
Content of articles and advertisements are the responsibility of
their authors, not the Editor or Parish councils, so care should be
taken to see that all information is legal and correct before posting
to the editor. It should be noted adverts are not endorsed by either
the Editor or Parish Councils and no liability will be accepted by
either.
Please note text and images should be appropriate for young
readers. If content is judged to be inappropriate it will be refused.
Advertisements are welcomed but due to limited space, your ad
may not be placed immediately you will be informed if this is the
case.
Current rates for advertising are:
Number of editions ½ page Full page
1 £10 £20
5 £25 £50
10 £40 £80
All payments are to be made to South Littleton Parish Council.
The Link is produced on a volunteer basis and all funds raised from
advertising or donations go directly into producing the Link.
Cut off dates are printed on the back of every Link and are strictly
adhered to, to prevent delays in printing and delivery.
47Editor information:
Entries and enquiries for the next Link should be sent to: -
Mary Keeling
Email: littletonlinkeditor@gmail.com
Entries for MAR-21 to be in by
12 Midnight on Friday 19-February-21
All entries should be spell checked beforehand, I do not accept
responsibility for any incorrect information or spelling errors.
When emailing information please use word A5 format (not
PDF) or paste information directly into the email.
Any pictures for front cover need to be A5 portrait .jpg
The editor reserves the right to amend contents of articles for
length.
For information regarding advertising please contact the
editor for details.
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